Exposing the Textbook Bias: The Need for Professional credit

1983 ◽  
Vol 37 ◽  
pp. 2-2
Author(s):  
Charles W. Dunn
Keyword(s):  
Political Science ◽  
Review Process ◽  
Journal Article ◽  
Science Department ◽  
Faculty Performance ◽  
Scholarly Publication ◽  
Scholarly Publications ◽  
Political Science Department ◽  
Scholarly Contribution ◽  
Textbook Bias

Why is authorship of a textbook generally considered less of a scholarly contribution than authorship of a “scholarly” publication, such as a journal article or a university press book?Certainly both are needed, but is it right for a political science department to reward faculty who author “scholarly” publications more than those who author textbooks?Whether stipulated in the criteria for departmental evaluation of faculty performance or in other less overt ways, the bias is prevalent throughout our discipline.This essay states five reasons why the bias should not exist: 1) ignorance of impact, 2) ignorance of values, 3) ignorance of the review process, 4) ignorance of purpose, and 5) ignorance of time and Scope.

scholarly journals MALCOLM EDWIN JEWELL

2010 ◽  
Vol 43 (03) ◽  
pp. 585-587
Author(s):  
Bradley C. Canon
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Political Parties ◽  
Political Science ◽  
The Political ◽  
Legislative Behavior ◽  
Science Department ◽  
University Of Kentucky ◽  
Political Science Department ◽  
The University

Malcolm “Mac” Jewell was a mainstay of the Political Science Department at the University of Kentucky (UK) for 36 years. For that same period and even longer, he was one of the profession's leading researchers in explaining legislative behavior (particularly in the states) and how state political parties worked. Mac retired from UK in 1994 but continued being active in our profession. Around 2004, he began suffering from Alzheimer's disease. He died on February 24, 2010, in Fairfield, Connecticut.

scholarly journals Major Competition? Exploring Perceptions of International Studies Programs among Political Science Department Chairs

2014 ◽  
Vol 48 (01) ◽  
pp. 142-148
Author(s):  
H. Gibbs Knotts ◽  
Jennifer S. Schiff
Keyword(s):  
Political Science ◽  
Department Chairs ◽  
Reciprocal Relationship ◽  
International Studies ◽  
Science Department ◽  
Political Science Department ◽  
High Level ◽  
Science Departments ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Job Prospects

ABSTRACTGiven the growth of international studies (IS) programs and the reciprocal relationship between political science and IS, this article explores perceptions of IS among political science department chairs. We found that the relationship between political science departments and IS programs is largely positive—that is, a majority of chairs supports the existence of IS at their institution, believes the job prospects for political science and IS majors are about equal, and perceives a low level of financial competition between programs. However, we discovered two points of contention: (1) the perception of lower academic rigor of IS programs, and (2) a high level of competition for majors and the “best students.” Perceptions of IS programs are related to a host of factors, including whether a program is housed within the political science department. Finally, we provide suggestions for improving the relationship between political science and IS.

scholarly journals When Tenure Protects the Incompetent: Results from a Survey of Department Chairs

2013 ◽  
Vol 47 (01) ◽  
pp. 182-187 ◽  
Author(s):  
John M. Rothgeb
Keyword(s):  
Political Science ◽  
National Survey ◽  
Department Chairs ◽  
Science Department ◽  
Political Science Department

AbstractThis research uses data from a national survey of political science department chairs to explore when tenure protects incompetent faculty. The characteristics of the responding institutions and the procedures and standards they use when evaluating tenure applications were analyzed to determine how they related to the protection of the incompetent. The results reveal that tenure is most likely to shield incompetent faculty when collegiality plays a role in tenure decisions and when departments focus on the quantity of articles an applicant publishes. The findings also show that when departments demand that candidates publish in prestigious journals and when higher authorities at the institution have reversed positive departmental tenure recommendations, the probability that the incompetent are protected declines.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document